PORT ANGELES — With $10,000 from the city, a “buy local” campaign is now ready to get off the ground.
The City Council unanimously approved granting money to the campaign, run by the city’s PA Forward Committee, in hopes that it will encourage Port Angeles-area residents to do more of their shopping in town.
Councilwoman Cherie Kidd, who chairs the committee, praised Wednesday the efforts of Mike Edwards and other residents in putting the campaign together.
“I’m so grateful we have people in this town willing to put in the kind of work that’s been put in,” she said.
“This is what’s great about this town: People pull together.”
The money from the city’s economic development fund will be used to create a “Think Local” website; create signs, stickers, buttons and T-shirts promoting the buy-local message; creates maps and coupon books for shops; host a public meeting; and conduct surveys.
Edwards told the council that committee members have heavily researched buy-local campaigns in other cities, and he believes they have a recipe for success.
He said businesses within Port Angeles area ZIP codes — whether in or outside the city limit — will be promoted through the campaign.
Edwards also said the campaign will not just try to get people to shop at locally owned businesses.
It also will try to prevent consumers from going to other towns to do their shopping.
Some of the points the campaign will promote are that buying locally keeps more money circulating through the local economy and that it helps the environment by reducing car trips.
“When they’re getting ready to spend their dollars . . . hopefully, they will make a conscious decision not only to save the gas, but really help the community by at least considering buying things locally first,” Edwards said.
Representatives of the Port Angeles Downtown Association, the Port Angeles Business Association the and Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce voiced support for the campaign at the meeting.
In other action, the council:
■ Reduced fees for obtaining public records through recording devices Wednesday.
The council unanimously passed an ordinance that reduces fees for receiving records on CDs from $5 to $1 each, DVDs from $20 to $1 each and audio tapes from $3.50 to $1.50 each.
The ordinance also says fees will be waived if the total charge is less than $5.
■ Adopted 30 goals it will use to determine next year’s budget.
The goals are in six categories: fiscally stable, public safety, community development, economic development, excellence and “our community.”
The goals include adhering to sound debt, reserve and investment policies; responding to emergency calls in a timely manner; foster distinctive and attractive neighborhoods with a strong sense of place and identity; seek new opportunities for economic development; communicate the city’s goals, activities and achievements with the public; and encourage community involvement and pride.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
